@bkrauter I have been using a SPOT Gen 3 for about a year.  It does require a subscription. I loaded cell phone numbers of family/friends. It works well no matter where I have been.  That said, you lose signal in a thick stand of trees, spotty reporting.  To be sure this is pointed out in the literature and on their website.  Easily programmed from a laptop or cell phone. Yu can program  messages into it to show where you are and a separate message; say if you wanted to report that you were at your destination of are back at start point.  It can also be tracked in live time with a link provided on their website, ... View more

@Philreedshikes Hampton isn't too far at all, 20 min or so. What are your local trails? ... View more

Russ1663 here. I'm fortunate to be in James City County. York River SP is open as is the Colonial Parkway. Not many people out and that works for the current situation. The plague stopped my spring plans to take my grandson to McAfee Knob and Dragon's Tooth.  Kind of scrubbed out a solo trip at Va Creeper Trail too. No problem, it will want they have been there for some time as I understand. ... View more